Japanese PM Kishida visits PCG Headquarters, reaffirms partnership

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) National Headquarters in Manila.

During the visit, Kishida boarded the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) which is one of the two 97-meter multi-role response vessels of the PCG constructed in Japan.

Kishida was accompanied by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa.

The Japanese Prime Minister was also welcomed by PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.

"On behalf of the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard, I express our profound gratitude to His Excellency Prime Minister Kishida, for your visit and the continued support of Japan. We are truly honored by your presence and look forward to deepening our ties through various cooperation and collaboration initiatives towards maritime safety and security," said Gavan.

Gavan recognized Japan as one of PCG's most generous and steadfast partners, specifically in upgrading its capabilities and achieving modernization.

The PCG said that since its commissioning into the Coast Guard service in May 2022, the BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) has been active in conducting maritime security and maritime safety operations in the Philippines' exclusive economic zones.

It also safeguards Filipino fishermen who uphold the country's sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and performs search and rescue missions, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response efforts.

Previously, Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Commandant Admiral Shohei Ishii had also paid a courtesy visit to PCG Commandant Gavan at the National Headquarters. 

Both officials discussed the current regional maritime security situation and reaffirmed the PCG-JCG partnership in capability development and personnel exchange.

"Japan has provided us with numerous human resource development programs to include the maritime safety and security policy program which honed our senior officers... and the acquisition of our capital assets which have truly been instrumental in our successful maritime activities," said Gavan. —VAL, GMA Integrated News